When the mystical bearer of virtue and kindness, the Golden Child, is abducted by the mysterious Sardo Numspa, the fine balance between the forces of good and evil is disturbed with unforeseen consequences. To save humanity, the beautiful Tibetan Kee Nang recruits the Los Angeles-based freelance lost children searcher, Chandler Jarrell, to find the missing boy; however, his scepticism seems to get in the way. But soon, Jarrell will realise that all that stands between the Golden Child and the powers of darkness are his expertise, his skills and his determination to save the world. Is Chandler indeed the chosen one?
Eddie Murphy plays a detective with a speciality of finding lost children. He is told he is the 'Chosen one' who will find and protect the Golden Child, a Bhuddist mystic who was kidnapped by an evil sorcerer. Murphy disbelieves the mysticism but finds more and more evidence of demon worship as he investigates.
Somewhat underrated Eddie Murphy movie with Eddie playing an American social worker recruited by a Tibetan woman to help rescue a kidnapped boy with special powers called the "Golden Child." I remember when this came out it wasn't met with a warm reception, from the critics or myself. In part I think because it wasn't a straight comedy like myself and others had come to expect from Eddie. But also because it wasn't as good as the similar Big Trouble in Little China, which came out the same year. Ironically, this was a bigger box office hit than Big Trouble but the latter has gone on to deservedly earn a cult fandom while Golden Child still has a mixed reputation at best.

Eddie Murphy is pretty good here and seems to be having a fun time. Charlotte Lewis is fine, performance-wise and looks-wise. Charles Dance is an enjoyable villain. The scene stealer here is Victor Wong, who was also in Big Trouble in Little China. The special effects are charming in that special way '80s effects often were. Love the Pepsi can dance scene. Some cheesy stuff in this movie for sure but, for the most part, it's pretty entertaining. If you like '80s movies you should find something to like with this. It's got action, comedy, and a little bit of fantasy all mixed together. It's not what I would call a classic but it is fun.
Right away, I'll say that the plot for this movie is downright asinine. A toddler could have typed the script up. But thankfully, Eddie Murphy is downright hilarious in this film, making jokes and acting goofy in every scene. This movie contains some of the funniest scenes I've ever seen. While most people may just consider them.....whatever they want....I crack up just thinking about them. For example, the scene where Chandler (Eddie) walks into the bar and starts harassing the customers to tell him where Tommy Tong (who works for Sardo the demon) makes me laugh hysterically every time I see it. And the first scene where Chandler is on a talk show trying to tell the public about a missing girl and the flakey host keeps interrupting him also tickles my crazy bone. Hmm, lemmie think of one more: AHA! The dream scene where Chandler meets Sardo and his henchmen is making me laugh right now as I think about it while typing. There are just too many other funny scenes that make me chuckle uncontrollably to list here.

If you decide to rent this, you'll be in for some good laughs, even if you're not an Eddie Murphy fan. AND REMEMBER: STAY ON THE PATH!!!
After his triumphant Beverly Hills Cop, Eddie Murphy could have done anything. Why, then, did he choose to head for the mysterious Orient to make a film as rich in mumbo jumbo as The Golden Child? Mr. Murphy's comic skepticism in the face of all this is the film's greatest asset. But it is worn thin by the awareness that not even he seems able to take the adventure seriously, and by the preposterousness and inconsistency of what surrounds him.